The Penguins played Thiessen as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup for several weeks and the overall results were less than impressive. Thiessen started out strongly enough, winning his first three NHL decisions as the team rallied around the rookie with tighter play. An eight-goal disaster against Ottawa blew up any thoughts of a hot rookie season and he played in just one more game thereafter. The signing of Tomas Vokoun guarantees that Thiessen will once again toil in Wilkes-Barre (AHL), barring injury. He's had some good seasons in the AHL and the organization is hoping that last year was an offseason. That said, there are plenty of better goalie prospects to keep on fantasy teams than Thiessen.

2011-12

Thiessen emerged as a promising goaltending prospect in 2010-11, going 35-8-1 with a 1.94 goals-against average and .922 save percentage for the Wilkes-Barre Baby Penguins. He's expected to battle Scott Munroe for the starting goaltender's job once again in the AHL, though Thiessen is the clear front runner. With Marc-Andre Fleury entrenched as the starter in Pittsburgh for several more seasons, Thiessen might be used as trade bait. He could also serve as Fleury's apprentice once Brent Johnson's contract expires after the 2011-12 season, but Thiessen is no youngster himself at 25 years of age.

2010-11

Thiessen moved up on the organizational depth chart by surpassing John Curry as the Baby Pen's No. 1 goalie last season. Since neither netminder will make the Pens out of camp, Thiessen will need to assert himself once again at Wilkes-Barre to stave off Curry. Given the annual injury issues Marc-Andre Fleury always seems to encounter, Thiessen could find himself starting at Consol Energy Center for a week or two during the 2010-11 season.

2009-10

Thiessen went from tending for Northeastern to sitting on the Penguins' bench on their ride to the Stanley Cup last spring. Thiessen signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh and is expected to ply his wares in the minors for the next several seasons. He went 25-12-4 as a senior with Northeastern, with a 2.12 GAA and .931 save percentage. Thiessen will likely suit up in the ECHL with a potential call up to the AHL in 2009-10.